PHA and LGBTQ Settlement

The settlement needs of Black PHA (people living with HIV/AIDS) and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning) community members are especially complex. In many cases, they are unable to access mainstream settlement services as a result of HIV stigma and homophobia. For both populations their plan to migrate to Canada is often initiated as a result of HIV stigma, homophobia, violence, isolation, persecution and trauma in their country of origin. This is an important contextual factor and as a result settlement services must address this reality. Many providers are unable to offer this support in a way that recognizes the specific settlement challenges that Black PHA and LGBT newcomers face.